Ok--I bought a boat that was in Canada in late December.
The difficult task of having the USCG assign me a documentation number now takes 5 months.
I need an MMSI number for the new radio.
If I am traveling in other countries (Canada) I'm not supposed to get it thru Boat US, Power Squadron or the USCG-Aux but straight from the FCC.
The website is not an easy place to be. I got my FCC registration Number.
Then got lost in the website.
Called the FCC-on hold 10 minutes before they hung up on me.
Next person didn't know what an MMSI was but was kind enough to transfer me to someone who did. She emailed me more instructions where I got to use my new FRN to log in.
Go thru a lot of entry pages then get to the point where they want my USCG documentation number....you remember...the one that takes 5 months. The one that I don't have yet!! And...the fee for registering for whatever I'm registering for is $215.
I think this is because I can't find the 40 year old, little brown card that says "Radiotelephone Operator License" on it and I'm not currently in their database.
Result--good portion of a day wasted, no USCG documentation number means no MMSI number even if I pay the $215.
Over And Out!!
The difficult task of having the USCG assign me a documentation number now takes 5 months.
I need an MMSI number for the new radio.
If I am traveling in other countries (Canada) I'm not supposed to get it thru Boat US, Power Squadron or the USCG-Aux but straight from the FCC.
The website is not an easy place to be. I got my FCC registration Number.
Then got lost in the website.
Called the FCC-on hold 10 minutes before they hung up on me.
Next person didn't know what an MMSI was but was kind enough to transfer me to someone who did. She emailed me more instructions where I got to use my new FRN to log in.
Go thru a lot of entry pages then get to the point where they want my USCG documentation number....you remember...the one that takes 5 months. The one that I don't have yet!! And...the fee for registering for whatever I'm registering for is $215.
I think this is because I can't find the 40 year old, little brown card that says "Radiotelephone Operator License" on it and I'm not currently in their database.
Result--good portion of a day wasted, no USCG documentation number means no MMSI number even if I pay the $215.
Over And Out!!